A few of my favorite pictures

Pinching Pennies

We have NO cable. And yes, this was our decision. In order for me to stay home with Ben we have had to trim the fat, cable being a big chunk of fat. We changed our internet service (to a slower service, we really can't tell a difference though), telephone server, and of course cable. We were paying $130 plus for these services, now we pay around $60. John and I have yet to drive each other crazy without cable, so I think it was a good decision. I have also changed some of my shopping habits. I no longer buy bottled water or pop (saved about $25 a month), no ziploc bags (we use reusable tupperware, not much of a savings though), I go to three different grocery stores to get the best deals and spend an average of 3 hours a week looking at grocery ads, cutting coupons, and finding internet coupons. I saved about $40 in coupons last shopping trip. I don't use lights during the day, I just open the blinds. We don't eat out. Well, we occasionally do. I've eaten at a restaurant maybe 3 times since Benjamin was born and I eat fast food maybe once every other week. I have also started cleaning houses, two houses. There is just something humbling about cleaning someone else's toilet. It puts gas in my car though!
I'm curious. How does everyone else save money?

5 Months Old (I'm a little behind)

Likes: Mommy and Daddy, Sesame Street, Car Rides (yep, this moved from the dislike side last month), Bottles (he now gets excited when he sees them), Exersaucer, Dayton (He loves his doggy), being outside, the water, bath time, Hyland teething tablets, sitting on Mommy's lap during dinner time with spoon in hand, his mobile, pacifier, and his airplane blankie.
Dislikes: His Jumper, teething (we all hate this), eating cereal, waiting too long for his bottle, nap time, the music at Church (he screams every Sunday when they start singing).

The Blue Hole

Today John, Benjamin and I went on a little road trip. We went to Salina, Oklahoma to the Blue Hole Park. I was surfing the internet one night and came across a website dedicated to "blue holes" in the United States. There are three in Oklahoma, the one in Salina being the closest to us. I was so excited and shared the exciting news with Jenny. She rained on my excitement and told me we had been there before when I was little. Oh well, so it won't be my first time, but I don't remember the first time. I pack enough to stay a few weeks, but with a baby you CAN'T forget anything. We leave around 9:30AM. The drive is beautiful. We come to Salina and turn on to a side street. The Blue Hole is only 7 miles away. Seven miles is a long way when it is a curvy, curvy road. Five miles in, it hits me. I didn't pack a bottle. What kind of mother am I? We turn around once we get there and drive back to Salina to the teeniest, tiniest grocery store. They don't have regular bottles. I end up with a sippie training cup. Benjamin doesn't seem to mind, he is just thankful for the milk. When I say this place in is the middle of nowhere, nowhere is an understatement. It was beautiful and shocking that there is water this clear in Oklahoma. You can see the bottom, no matter how deep it is. The water is about 50 degrees, no lie. It will put hair on your chest. There really isn't any sand, but there is rock beaches. Shoes are a must on our next trip and a tube or air matress. Our day was cut short by thunderstorms, but overall, it was a fun day. The park is family oriented, no alcohol allowed, no pets (although, I saw quite a few), there is a concession stand, its $5 for the day or $10 to stay the night, there are a few cabins (more like sheds with air conditioners), it wasn't too crowded, and there was some good people watching (I believe I have seen most of these people at the Fair).

Happy Independence Day

John love the fourth of July and sequence. He is going to kill me.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today, I married my best friend. John is a kind man. He is sensitive and compassionate. He has a silly sense of humor that drives me crazy, but always puts a smile on my face. He is a hard, hard worker. He is a wonderful provider for our family. He tells me I am beautiful, daily. He compliments my cooking. He is honest. He is so affectionate. It drives me crazy, but I miss it when he travels. When he looks at me, my heart still flutters. He is beyond a great father. Seeing John with Benjamin, makes me smile from head to toe. He is smarter than what he gives himself credit for. He is our protector. His smile lights up a room and my heart. I met John in July 2004. October 2004 John told me he loved me. February 2005 I knew some day John would be my husband. In November 2005 John and I started looking for engagement rings. On January 14, 2006 John proposed to me. I said yes. July 1, 2006 I married my best friend.

Big Boy

Spur of the Moment?

Friday night I went to be at 9:00. I know, I am so wild and crazy. John got up with Ben and let me sleep in till 10:00 AM! I guess I was really tired. I have really been wanting to get our produce and whatever else I can afford, locally grown. Saturday morning when I finally rolled out of bed, I went to the Farmer's Market on Cherry St. What an odd array of people. You have the original hippies, yuppies, new age hippies, and me. I got there too late and there wasn't a lot left. There is another one on Monday on 15th and one on Wednesday on Peoria. I think I will go to both of these. After the Farmer's Market disappointment I was itching to spend some money and find a good deal. I went to a consignment store on 33rd and Harvard called The Children's Closet. I have gone in there a few times and they have really cute clothes, somewhat pricey for consignment, but they really do only take the best of the best and only name brand. They had everything marked down 20-75% off. I had been eyeing a diaper bag, but it was $42.00, but it just happened to be 75% off. When I got home we were all sitting on the back porch and I made the comment, "What a great day for the lake." John replied, "Do you want to go?" My reply, much to John's surprise, was yes. We left within 15 minutes and spent the day at Grand Lake. It was so much more fun than the times when I try to plan everything to a T. It was a wonderful Saturday.

Pictures

Traveling Weekend

On Friday John and I decided to drive to Blanchard to see his friend Joe's new baby. While we were there I wanted to stop by Cancer Care to see Ana and to show off my handsome little boy. We also wanted to stop by and see Jenny and the boys. We left Tulsa at 10AM, stopped at Cancer Care at noon, was at Jenny's from 2:00PM to 6:00PM and was at Joe's from 6:00PM to 9:00PM and arrived back in Tulsa at midnight. It was a long day. Ben was awesome (for the most part). He was pretty cranky at Aunt Jenny's, but I think he was just trying to be louder than her boys combined! The trip back to Tulsa was the longest for me and the worst part. I am petrified of being in the car in the rain. I can't think of a word strong enough to explain the fear I have of being in the car when it rains.
Saturday morning we left to go to the family reunion at Feyodi Park at Keystone. Awesome Food. I had told John how wonderful the food was and the large quantity. He was not disappointed. I love being around family. Good food, good weather, good family, great time.
Sunday we went to Checotah for Father's Day. We left the house around 10:30AM and got to Checotah at 11:30AM. We were greeted by Dayton who had stayed the weekend with Grammy Pat and Papa Rodger. Benjamin woke up early from his nap, so I knew I was in for a long day. Pat had two kittens she had been feeding baby formula to that I got to see; teeny, tiny little things. John's grandma Johnnie Marie came over and ate lunch and I got to meet Matt's girlfriend. We left the LeMaster's farm around 7:00 and stopped by John's aunt and uncles. Benjamin got to play a little bit with his cousin Jonathan, who is 8 months old. The day was filled with good food, good weather, and good family.
I was glad to be home.
Today Ben had his four month appointment. He is a healthy little boy. He is about 50th percentile on height and weight, The shots we not horribly bad and developmentally he is right on track.

4 Months Old

Benjamin's Likes: People, Hippo, Bath Time, Mommy and Daddy's undivided attention (emphasis on undivided), food, outside anyone talking to him (unless it is nap time and don't even think about making eye contact with him), smiles, babies,smiles being outside.
Benjamin's Dislikes: The Car, missing nap time (maybe this is Mommy's dislike), and being ignored.
The pictures are some of his many expressions.
Benjamin keeps my hands very full, but I would rather have my hands full than empty.

Wedding

The Wedding

Working his magic

Rolling

ONE

TWO

THREE!

I left out step 2 1/2, a little nudge from Mommy to help him over.

Freeze!

Freeze! Put your hands in the air!

One Slow Weekend

This weekend was the first weekend John has been home in May. He leaves again Thursday for three days, comes back one day and leaves again for six days. To the disapproval of both sets of parents we decided not to go to the lake with the LeMasters or Richardsons. We decided to stay at home and do nothing. It was nice. Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast, and walked around our neighborhood and looked at all the garage sales. Sunday we got up and went to church, got a pizza to go, took a nap, and then went to my sister Marla's for a cookout. We both enjoyed the nice relaxing weekend, but decided next year we will go to the lake.

Family Reunion

My favorite outings growing up were going to family reunions at the lake. I know, I know, I must have been one deprived child. I have so many fond memories of camping. Sitting by the camp fire hearing stories, getting hit in the face with a frying pan by my uncle, watching my dad and uncle running with an aluminum boat over their heads during a lightning storm, being attacked by fire ants and running down the hill yelling for help and my brother just laughing, fist fights, being stuck in the pop up listening to books on tapes while the adults were obviously having a much better time outside, almost drowning in our camper, almost being punched in the face by my dad while sleep walking...
I could go on for hours. I want my son to have fond memories of camping too. Our family is getting bigger it seems by the minute and I think it is time to start our own family reunion. What?!? Why, you may ask, we see each other all the time. And yes, we do have family get togethers, but no over nighters and THAT is when you create lasting memories. When? Where? Those questions I do not have the answer to and would like to hear some input. Of course we would need a family, kid friendly place to go, preferably not too far away or too close. Of course it should be during the summer. So, comment away.

Waiting

Waiting for a special lady to put that arm around.

Frustration

Benjamin has had diarrhea since Monday and has slept horribly. I am tired. I get home today, walk in the house and it smells like something has died. I go into Ben's room and see doggie diarrhea on the floor. Dayton has not had an accident in over 2 and half years. He is a hundred pound dog and has quite the output. Back to Ben, he is gassy and it interrupts his naps. I switched formula, which to be honest wasn't thrilled to do. The main ingredient in this formula is corn syrup, but it did seem to make a difference, but now it seems everything is back the same. I would prefer to go back to exclusively breast feeding, but I am scared he will stop gaining weight, plus its nice to have some freedom. I am calling the doctor tomorrow for some words of advise.
Ben really is a good, happy little boy. He does cry and fuss quite a bit, but I would too if I was that gassy and wasn't getting enough sleep. To top it off he spits up all the time and large quantities. It's projectile. I am frustrated, not at him, but just the situation. My poor baby boy seems to have one issue after another. I want to be a super mom and swoop in and fix everything, unfortunately I can't find my cape. Any advise is appreciated, prayers are appreciated even more.

3 Months

I can not believe that Benjamin is already 3 months old. Everyday he changes. He slept through the night for the first time on Friday, then Saturday, then Sunday, THEN Monday he woke up every 3 hours. At least I got three good nights. He talks all the time, ALL the time. When he is not talking, he is fussing or crying. His vocal cords stay warm all day long. He is quite social, a flirt..he loves the ladies.
His likes: Bath time, his hippo, Elmo, his mobile, to talk to Mommy and Daddy actually, anyone that will listen and most importantly respond, eating, his changing table, laying in bed with Mommy in the morning.
Dislikes: Being ignored, riding in the car (sometimes), nap time, being startled, stopping in the middle of feedings.

To the Mothers in my life

These are the things I have learned from the mothers in my life.

Grandma-How to stay strong, hold your head high, and not lose your cool.
Marla- How to be a friend to your child.
Jenny- How to be organized and how to run your house like a well oiled machine.
Jessica- How to be gentle, delicate, kind and patient.
Pat- How to be giving AND to cook like a 5 star chef.
Mom- How to be a Christian mother.

I admire all the mothers in my life and the examples they are to me. You all have many more traits that I admire, but now that I am a mother my time is limited : ) Happy Mother's Day!

New Car!

John and I got a new car today! It was very exciting and a long day. I haggled with the sales guys for 2 1/2 hours. I refused to back down and we got the price we wanted AND a free tint job. John said he was proud of me : ) So we got a 2008 Ford Escape, its greyish green, and only has 19 miles on it. I think the lowest number of miles on a car I have had is 80,000. We were at the dealership for almost 5 hours. Ben was awesome!

All Free

I really like Benjamin's nurse and doctor. All the formula in the picture was free! I asked for a sample and they gave me all of it and told me not to buy ever, just keeping asking for more when I run out. You don't have to tell me twice!
This summer our church is going to be doing Saturday activities instead of Wednesday evening services. Here is a list of classes if anyone is interested.
6/7 Health Workshop with Dr Lance
6/14 Concealed Carry Class
6/21 Scrapbooking Workshop
6/28 Crocheting Class
7/19 Cooking Class
7/26 Fishing Workshop at Bass Pro Shop
8/2 Self Defense Class for Adults and Children
8/9 Wills, trust and other legal needs
8/16 prayer walk
8/24 Marriage Workshop with Harry Layden
The only ones that have a cost, that I know of, are the concealed carry class and the marriage workshop. Let me know if you are interested!

Look at the size of those HAMS!